The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts at Queen’s University officially launches its 2026– 2027 season, The Isabel at 12 – Celebrating Musical Traditions, on Sunday, September 20 with a performance by the acclaimed piano quartet, ensemble132.

The new season brings together more than 25 performances spanning classical masterworks, global musical traditions, contemporary voices and innovative collaborations, reflecting the enduring power of music to connect cultures, communities and generations.

“We are thrilled to welcome audiences back to The Isabel for our twelfth season,” says Director Gordon E. Smith. “This season offers an extraordinary range of artists and musical traditions, from chamber music and piano to Indigenous, Mexican, South Asian and Middle Eastern traditions. We look forward to sharing these performances with our community throughout the year.”

Season Opens with ensemble132

The season begins Sunday, September 20 at 2:30pm with ensemble132, an acclaimed piano quartet known for its adventurous programming and dynamic performances.

The ensemble will perform Schumann/Hong’s Carnaval for piano quartet, a work specially arranged for ensemble132, Kelly-Marie Murphy’s Four Degrees of Freedom, and Brahms’ Piano Quartet in C Minor, Op. 60. The performance launches The Isabel’s Chamber Music Series, which continues throughout the season with performances by Trio Hochelaga, the Gryphon Trio with Rob Kapilow, Cheng² Duo, the Pavel Haas Quartet, and marimbist Ji Su Jung with violinist Timothy Chooi.

Highlights Across the 2026–2027 Season

The Isabel’s five core series, Spotlight, Chamber Music, Piano, Baroque, and Friday Nights in the Recital Hall, offer audiences an expansive musical journey throughout the season.

The Spotlight Series features an eclectic lineup of artists and performances, beginning with the acclaimed Indigenous chamber opera Missing on September 29. The semi-staged production brings together Indigenous and settler artists, with music performed by Continuum Ensemble and a production led by Artists of the Opera Missing (ATOM). The series continues with the vibrant Mariachi Herencia de México, high-energy Swing Shift Big Band, internationally celebrated countertenor Reginald Mobley, the National Arts Centre Orchestra with violinist James Ehnes performing J.S. Bach’s complete Brandenburg Concertos, and the Royal Conservatory Orchestra.

The Piano Series welcomes some of Canada’s and the world’s most celebrated pianists, including Janina Fialkowska, Jan Lisiecki, Garrick Ohlsson, and Élisabeth Pion, Gold Laureate of the 2025 Honens International Piano Competition. 

The Baroque Series presents historically inspired performances by the Jupiter Ensemble, Leticia Moreno and Friends: Bach in the Americas, and Delirium Musicum, bringing together period-informed performance, virtuosic musicianship and innovative approaches to early music.

The intimate Friday Nights in the Recital Hall series explores Indigenous, South Asian and Middle Eastern musical traditions. This season features David R. Maracle, Bageshree Vaze and Vineet Vyas, Keith Whiteduck, and Sadaf Amini.

A Season of Special Events and Community Engagement

Beyond its core concert series, The Isabel’s season includes a range of special performances and community-focused programming.

Upcoming highlights include the Canadian League of Composers 75th Anniversary: Past Presidents’ Piano Recital with John Burge on September 13, the Isabel and Alfred Bader Lecture in European Art, presented in partnership with the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, and the return of beloved children’s duo Splash’N Boots in February.

The 2026–2027 season also continues The Isabel’s commitment to Indigenization and cultural inclusion, with multiple performances and events reflecting Indigenous artistic practices, perspectives and traditions.

Greater Access to The Isabel

Beginning this season, Queen’s University students can receive one free ticket to Isabel presented performances, supporting greater access to live performance and encouraging student engagement with the arts.

Some seat locations and ticket types are excluded.

For the general public, The Isabel continues to offer flexible build-your-own subscriptions, with savings of 10% when selecting four or more concerts and 15% when selecting eight or more. Subscribers also receive priority access for next season, flexible ticket exchanges, and invitations to exclusive events.

Tickets for the 2026–2027 season are currently on sale.

Posted: Sep 11, 2026 Originally Published: Sep 10, 2026